EXCLUSIVE
Eric Williams is not the monster he was made out to be on "
Basketball Wives" ... and DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE HOMELESS ... so says one of Eric's former NBA teammates.
spoke with
Tony Delk -- who played with Eric on the Celtics -- and he tells us
Tami Roman was WRONG when she said Eric's current situation is karma because "God don't like ugly."
Of course, Roman made the comment because she felt Eric terrorized his ex-wife Jennifer Williams on the VH1 reality show ... and the fact his life has since fallen apart is his just desserts.
But Delk tells TMZ Sports ... the Eric he knew is a "great guy with a good heart" ... adding, "He's as generous a guy as I've ever met."
"He was always smiling and happy about life."
Delk -- who admits he doesn't watch "BBW" -- says Eric's less-than-desirable behavior on the show isn't the real Eric ... claiming the show brings out the worst in people.
As for Jennifer, Tony says she should be grateful for everything Eric gave her during their relationship -- offering this message to the reality star: "Don't forget where you were when he found you."
